Switching PM doctors.

I have had a really hard time with my PM drs office over the last year. Its all office realted, prescriptions not being ready after multiple calls, records not being sent, inaccurate insurance billing, calls not returned, office staff being rude and hanging up, andthe list could go on. I spoke to my PCP and they have been having the same problems with the office and have heard it from other pts. She recommends a dr which is about an hour away.

My hestitancy is that my current office is close by and doesnt require me to come in monthly. They also have an office close to my work. I really think they just got to big to fast and didnt increase staff and they just cant handle it. The dr is ok, he has recently started forgetting what he plans each month, he says next month we will do this, then at the next month he wants o wait longer. Fairly frustrating when he has no explanation. The good thing is that he has a new PA that I really seemed to click with.

I would like to meet this new dr and get a feel for the office and their procedures before I burn my bridges with my current office but the scheduler wont make an appt unless you can provide a discharge letter from the first office. This is what I was told months ago when I called for general info. I am officially being reffered by my PCP. We are thinking I could just make an appointment without stating my current PM dr status, then of course once there explain the situation and make a descision. Of course absolutely not accepting a prescription till I am formally dc'd from the first. This is my PCP's suggestion, so I do have her backing, even though its slightly deceptive.

In the long run with the SCS my goal is to decrease the need for meds. I am really thinking ahead I know, but realistically I think I should stay current on file with a PM dr no matter what happens. At one point my PCP was comfortable with prescribing here and there but over the last few years she said it is to risky for her, which I understand.

Maybe I am over thinking things, I dont know. As long as I dont accept a script I am not breaching my current PM contract. Insurance allows me 2nd opinions as well, which is really what this is. If I like the dr and office I can then make the needed calls to get switched over making sure I have no lapses.

Am I worrying about this to much? How have others switched PM drs without a lapse? Any suggestions?

I agree, its your right and your personal responsibility to get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion, no crime or no foul in that. I love my oncologist, great doctor, but his admin staff sucks a lot of the time and causes me logistical problems, all unknown to my doctor. When I do tell him of those kinds of problems, he goes balistic until he gets to the bottom of the problem, and does all he can so they don't happen twice.

Good luck in your situation.

david

The DEA has made life much harder for those of us who actually need pain meds. I don't know how it works where you are but I have to sign a drug contract with my doctor. I would have to end that contract to switch docs. It's just part of what I have to put up with by being a chronic pain patient.

I would get my scripts filled with the doctor you're with now then move to the new doc. That way you are covered while you make the switch. Just make sure to tell the new doc what you have for meds and how many you have left.

One of my pet peeves is people who are far more able to get around than I am, having no problem getting help. I know someone who's on disability for back problems who works under the counter as a bouncer at a bar! This person also dances a lot at this bar. I can barely walk and have been fighting for years now to get disability. So I really understand your need to vent about this.

Unfortunately the ones who are med seekers make things much harder on those of us who aren't. I don't think there's any way nowadays to smoothly switch doctors if you have chronic pain.

I am in the US. Everyone requires a referral from a dr and a review of records to assess "IF" they will take you on as a patient. I finally just left a message yesterday to send me the release and I would sign for whatever. It will likely mean 1-2 months without meds, since thats how long it takes to get a new pt appointment after they get the records. Of course I will get on a cancellation list. Hoping that since I am still current with the neurosurgeon he may write the scripts during the transition. They all are aware of my desire to switch and admit to knowing and confirming the issues with the current office. If they dont accept me as a pt then I will at least have the stim while I figure it out.

Correct Snowbunny, things arent desperate, but I am taking my LA plus near to the max of my SA to get thru this recovery. That will last me two weeks approx. If I sign and request the records be sent today, which automatically terminates my contract, I am then in limbo till they number 1, decide if they will take me and 2 wait for a new pt appointment. In theory I could wait till the day after my next appointment to request records being sent I guess, thats not untill October. I need to call and pick up my next two months scripts when they are due. Between everyone (NS and PCP) we decided switching ASAP was best.

A year ago I tried to switch, my PCP figured she could be the middle man. She requested all of my records and they sent only a few pages of nonsense, nothing that helped to go thru the process. I also requested a full copy of my records, they did the same thing to me. It was just so frustrating I gave in and stayed.

Cant get frustrated about it today, have things to do.

Thank you for everything!

Wow...that is messed up:( Well...I guess you dodged a bullet in one way if that PM thinks there is nothing else to pain management than a SCS. There are dozens of modalities to help with pain.

Is that the only other PM office around? Not sure what area you live in...but can you go in the other direction the same drive time and see if any other cities nearby have ones?

And sorry if I missed this, but have you spoken to your actual PM Dr. (the one you have now) and tell him gently about the problems with the office staff? Many times the DR. has no idea what is going on and can help things by speaking to them. Obviously without saying it was you who is complaining, as I'm sure there have to be others who are experiencing the same thing.

I know it wouldn't solve everything....but may be worth a try.

Hi Shell, so are you staying with your current PM dr? I could not tell if that was the plan now or not. It stinks when you like your dr but the desk dragons are the pits, they can ruin such a good thing for many.

So the potential new PM dr declined you as a patient because you have a stim and should not need meds. There are alot of them out there that think that way and that tells you how much he really does not know about those units. We have had several people come & go here talking about the stims and how their drs have told them they will be off of all meds, including BT meds. The sad part is the patient falls for this crap because they are desperate by that point. For most that is music to their ears no more medication. I pity anyone that falls victim to his office. I am glad they called you ahead of time and dropped the bomb so that not much time had gone by.

I hope that you continue to improve, you have really worked hard at getting yourself there. Take care...Susie

jeez what the heck is going on???? i am getting more an more frustrated both in dealing with my own PM doc experiences and reading about others. enough is enough! we need to start standing up for ourselves and be able to receive the treatment we need to live our lives! let them go after junkees etc. but do it in a was that preserves our capability to receive quality PM treatment!